So its Friday, you’ve already had a pretty hectic day and at lunch time or after hours you might want to sit back and enjoy a well selected cigar. Although the art choosing a cigar might seem complex because of the subtle nuances, you needn’t fear. We will guide your pallet through the process.

There are number of factors to consider when delving into the realm of cigar connoisseur;

  1. Touch – a gentle squeeze is all you need. The cigar should give a little but not be too soft. Don’t roll it around in your fingers as this could damage the body. Gently squeeze along the length of the cigar and look out for lumps or soft spots – if there are any, move on to the next one.
  2. Visual – look out for looseness, discoloration or cracks. Wrappers should be tightly smooth with no damage. Veins in the body of the cigar often allow for a smoother so a few are good. At the exposed end, check if there are any major colour discrepancies – some variation is normal, but if it’s extreme, the leaves aren’t rolled together properly or are inferior.
  3. Width – the width of a cigar is referred to as its ring gauge. Different manufacturers use different ring gauges to control the flavour. Generally, larger ring gauges are more flavourful and smoke more slowly. Larger ring gauges are generally the preferred choice, especially if you’re not in a hurry.
  4. Colour – as a rule of thumb, the colour of the wrapper gives a clue to the flavour of the cigar. Darker wrappers are generally sweeter and lighter wrappers more dry. The colour ranges are vast, but range from Claro (pale brown) to Oscuro (black).
  5. Timing – much like drinking a Brandy or Cognac, what type of cigar you choose is important in terms of the time of day and whether you are smoking before or after a meal. A mild, thin cigar isn’t greatly satisfying on a full stomach, while a strong cigar can affect the taste of your food if smoking before a meal.
  6. Price – cigars can be costly, so if you’re trying one for the first time, go for a moderately priced one, but ensure its from a well-known manufacturer and do the checks above to ensure you’re not disappointed.

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